Transverse rod connector

ABSTRACT

A transverse rod connector includes an elongate member having first and second ends and first and second connection members. The first and second connection members are connected with first and second ends, respectively. The first and second connection members are configured for multidirectional positioning with respect to the elongate member. The first and second connection members are each dimensioned to be selectively and releasably secured to a bone anchor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/861,393, filed on Aug. 23, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Pat. Appl. Ser. No. 61/274,820, filed Aug. 21, 2009, theentire disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a device for interconnecting boneanchors and, more particularly, to a transverse rod connector configuredfor multidirectional articulation with respect to the bone anchor.

BACKGROUND

Disease, the effects of aging, or physical trauma resulting in damage tothe spine has been treated in many instances by fixation orstabilization of the effected vertebra. A wide variety of spinalfixation apparatuses have been employed in surgical procedures forcorrecting spinal injuries and the effects of spinal diseases. Many ofthese apparatuses commonly use a pair of longitudinal rods running in arelatively parallel relationship to each other and the spinal column.These rods are connected to coupling elements, which in turn are securedto the underlying vertebral bone by spinal bone fixation fasteners suchas pedicle screws, hooks, and the like. The pair of longitudinal rodscan be held in position relative to one another by transverseconnectors, also known as transverse bridge elements orcross-connectors.

As the technology of spinal surgery has developed and improved, each ofthe spinal fixation components has also undergone improvements andmodifications to address the shortcomings of conventional spinalfixation components. The natural anatomical variations in the spinalcolumn of a subject are such that implanted spinal rods, whileapproximating a parallel relationship one to the other, can vary fromthat parallel relationship considerably and in multiple planes. For thisreason, any transverse connector used to attach the two rods to eachother should not be of a rigid design without the ability to bere-configured as needed during the process of implanting and attachingto the two opposing rods. While some improvements have been made in thearticulation and re-configuration operation of transverse connectorsduring the implantation and rod connection process, a continuing needexists to provide an improved multidirectional articulating transverseconnector that can adapt to a wide variance in the contours of thespinal column. Further, a need exists to provide such a transverseconnector that can provide a secure attachment means to the spinalconstruct, most specifically in the posterior cervical spine regionwhere a conventional cross connector cannot be inserted due to the shortdistance between bone anchor heads.

Conventional efforts to meet this need have fallen short of the desiredtransverse connector configuration. For example, U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2006/0064091 to Ludwig includes first and second connector membersfor connection to the respective first and second bone anchors. The twoconnector members are connected one to the other by a fixed member,thereby not allowing adjustment between the connector members toaccommodate the anatomy. In addition, the fixed member does not providerotational freedom and needs to be bent into the appropriateconfiguration prior to attaching to the bone anchor.

For reasons discussed above, a continuing need exists for a transverserod connector that provides ease of operation by the surgeon tosimultaneously adjust in multiple dimensions one bone anchor connectingend of the system in relation to the other bone anchor connecting end ofthe system and to provide a device having secure attachment means to thebone anchor of the spinal construct.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a transverse rod connector including, an elongate member andfirst and second connection members. The elongate member includes firstand second ends and may be longitudinally adjustable. The first andsecond connection members are connected with the first and second endsof the elongate member, respectively. The first and second connectionmembers are configured for multidirectional positioning with respect tothe elongate member. The first and second connection members are eachdimensioned to be selectively and releasably secured to a bone anchor.

In an embodiment, the first and second connection members may eachinclude a base portion and a closing portion. The base portion and theclosing portion may define a connection passage for receiving the boneanchor. Further, the base portion and the closing portion may behingedly connected.

In another embodiment, the first and second connection members may eachdefine an opening. In addition, the opening may align with the boneanchor when the bone anchor is received in the connection passage. Thefirst and second connection members may each include a screw dimensionedto be received in the opening. The screws may couple the first andsecond connection members with bone anchors.

In yet another embodiment, the first and second ends of the elongatemembers may each include a receptacle portion. The first and secondconnection members may each include a ball joint. The ball joints may bereceived in the respective receptacle portions for multidirectionalpositioning of the first and second connection members with respect tothe elongate member. The elongate member may include first and secondscrews dimensioned to be received in the respective receptacle portions.The first and second screws may securely fix the ball joints in therespective receptacle portions to fix the orientation of the connectionmembers with respect to the elongate member.

In still another embodiment, the first and second ends of the elongatemembers may each include a ball joint. The first and second connectionmembers may each include a socket portion. The ball joints may bereceived in the respective socket portions for multidirectionalpositioning of the first and second connection members with respect tothe elongate member. The first and second connection members may eachinclude a screw dimensioned to be received in the socket portion. Thescrews may securely fix the ball joints in the socket portions toadjustably fix the orientation of the respective connection members withrespect to the elongate member.

In still another embodiment, the elongate member may include first andsecond portions longitudinally translatable with respect to each other.The first and second portions may at least partially overlap each other.The elongate member may define a through hole. The elongate member mayfurther include a screw dimensioned to be received in the through hole.The screw may securely fix the position of the first and second portionswith respect to each other.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a transverse rod connector including, an elongate member andfirst and second connection members. The elongate member includes firstand second ends. The first and second connection members are connectedwith first and second ends, respectively. The first and secondconnection members are selectively and releasably secured to boneanchors, respectively. The first and second connection members eachinclude a stationary portion and a sliding portion. The stationaryportion and the sliding portion define a connection passage. The slidingportion is movable to adjust the dimensions of the connection passage.

In an embodiment, the first and second connection members may eachdefine a receptacle portion dimensioned to receive a screw for couplingbone anchors to respective first and second connection members. Thereceptacle portion may be defined in the sliding portion of the firstand second connection members. In addition, the first and second ends ofthe elongate member may each define an opening dimensioned to receivethe screw. The opening may be dimensioned for longitudinal movement ofthe screw with respect to the elongate member when the screw is securelyfixed to the receptacle portion. Further, the elongate member may bearched. The elongate member may further include screw caps for fasteningelongate member against the first and second connection members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the transverse rod connector willbecome apparent to one skilled in the art to which the disclosed systemand devices relate upon consideration of the following description ofexemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transverse rod connector in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 takenalong section line L-L;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 1coupled to bone anchors in an extended position;

FIG. 5B is an end view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 5Acoupled to the bone anchors in a retracted position;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a transverse rod connector inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is an end view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 6A withscrews separated;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a transverse rod connector in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 7with parts separated;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 7 in aretracted position;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 takenalong section line A-A;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 7 in anextended position;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 takenalong section line B-B;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 7engaging bone anchors in an extended position;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 7engaging bone anchors in an extended position;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a connection member for use with thetransverse rod connector of FIG. 7;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the connection member of FIG. 15 in anopen configuration;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a transverse rod connector inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 17with parts separated;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the transverse rod connector of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of FIG. 19 takenalong section line A-A;

FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a bone anchor for use with thetransverse rod connector of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 21B is a side view of the bone anchor of FIG. 21A with partsseparated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed transverse rod connectorwill now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. In thedrawings and in the description that follows, the term “proximal,” willrefer to the end of a device or system that is closest to the operator,while the term “distal” will refer to the end of the device or systemthat is farthest from the operator. In addition, the term “cephalad” isused in this application to indicate a direction toward a patient'shead, whereas the term “caudad” indicates a direction toward thepatient's feet. Further still, for the purposes of this application, theterm “medial” indicates a direction toward the middle of the body of thepatient, whilst the term “lateral” indicates a direction toward a sideof the body of the patient (i.e., away from the middle of the body ofthe patient). The term “posterior” indicates a direction toward thepatient's back, and the term “anterior” indicates a direction toward thepatient's front. In the following description, well-known functions orconstructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the presentdisclosure in unnecessary detail.

The presently disclosed transverse rod connector is generally shown asreference numeral 10 in FIG. 1. Transverse rod connector 10 includes across member assembly 20 and first and second connection members 12, 14.The first and second connection members 12, 14 are disposed at opposingends 16, 18 of the device 10, respectively. The two connection members12, 14 are each configured to be selectively and releasably secured to abone anchor 1000, which in turn can be secured to a subject's vertebraor other bone structure. Connection members 12, 14, however, may beconfigured to couple with other securement structures such as bone pins.

As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, bone anchor 1000 may include a pediclescrew 1010, a pin 1030, a coupling 1050 and a collet 1070. Coupling 1050may define a saddle 1058 having a generally U-shaped configuration.Saddle 1058 is configured and dimensioned for receiving a rod 88 shownin FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 13 and 14. Rod 88 may be used in any or all ofthe disclosed embodiments. In addition, coupling 1050 may also include aplurality of fingers 1056 extending radially outward. Collet 1070includes a generally cylindrical body portion 1072 with an opening 1074extending axially therethrough and a pair of upstanding wings 1076 thatdefine a saddle 1078 which is also generally U-shaped. Body portion 1072includes a slot 1073, and as such wings 1076 may flex toward and awayfrom each other, whereby flexing of wings 1076 toward each other engagesthe outer surface of a rod 88 disposed in saddle 1078 to enablefrictional securing of the rod 88.

Pedicle screw 1010 may include a shank 1016 having a helical thread 1014formed thereon. A cutting portion 1012 is formed at a distal end of thepedicle screw 1010. A head 1018 is disposed at a proximal end of pediclescrew 1010 adjacent a neck portion 1016 a. On the top surface of head1018, an opening is formed. The opening may include configuration forreceiving the operative end of a suitable driving tool.

Collet 1070 is seated atop head 1018 of pedicle screw 1010. The openingat the bottom of collet 1070 is dimensioned and configured for receivinghead 1018. As such, collet 1070 and head 1018 are rotatable andpivotable in relation to each other, thereby allowing the pedicle screw1010 to be repositioned in a plurality of orientations relative tocollet 1070. Collet 1070 and pedicle screw 1010 are inserted intocoupling 1050. Pin 1030 aligns collet 1070 and coupling 1050 formaintaining a fixed relationship therebetween. As assembled, pediclescrew 1010 is rotatable and pivotable in relation to collet 1070 andcoupling 1050. Reference may be made to International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/US2008/080682, filed on Apr. 23, 2010, entitled “POSTERIORPEDICLE SCREW HAVING A TAPER LOCK,” the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connection members 12, 14 include base portions30, 32 and closing portions 31, 33 that define first and secondconnection passages 22, 24 therebetween, respectively. Connectionpassages 22, 24 are opened medial-laterally at the first or second end16, 18 of the device 10. The outermost edges of the respectivemedial-laterally opened connection passages 22, 24 can be configured toprovide a retention feature 26, 28, as depicted in FIG. 4, for couplingor attaching to bone anchor 1000. The retention feature is configured asa hinge mechanism 25 (See FIGS. 2 and 5B) to facilitate attachment ontobone anchor 1000. Once bone anchor 1000 (for example fingers 1056 and/orwings 1076) has been captured by the retention features 26, 28, boneanchor locking screws 97, 98 are threaded into respective openings 48,50 to couple first and second connection members 12, 14 to respectivebone anchors 1000.

The first and second connection members 12, 14 define ball joint members34, 36 at their most proximal ends 30, 32, respectively. Each of theball joint members 34, 36 are configured to slide and drop into the balljoint receptacles 55, 56 of the cross member assembly 20. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5B, connection members 12, 14 may each include a rigid ringmember 37 that contains internal threads for coupling with the boneanchor locking screws 97, 98. This rigid ring member 37 may also containa tab feature or other such member on the external diameter to mate witha bone anchor 1000 such that it prevents rotation of said bone anchor1000.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface 38 of the cross member assemblydefines bone anchor locking screw receptacles 40, 42 which are sized andconfigured to receive a locking screw 44, 46. The bone anchor lockingscrew receptacles 40, 42 as best shown in FIG. 4 are provided withthreads to secure the locking screws 44, 46 into place.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cross member assembly 20 has two slidingportions 52, 54. Each sliding portion 52, 54 contains a ball jointreceptacle 55, 56, and can slide freely with respect to each other. Oncethe desired distance between the two ball joint receptacles 55, 56 isobtained, a bone anchor locking screw 58 is attached to the bone anchorlocking screw receptacle 57 to securely fix the cross member assembly 20and lock it into position.

As shown in the non-limiting examples of FIGS. 1-4, any articulatingsurface of the device can be treated, machined, scored, or in any knownmanner textured to provide a roughened or textured surface that canserve to increase the locking contact of those surfaces when thearticulating members are set in place and the associated locking screwsare manipulated to lock the device in the desired configuration.

In operation, a user as indicated above can manipulate the device 10into position relative to two opposing and relatively parallel boneanchors, independently connecting the first and second connectionmembers 12, 14 to their respective bone anchors and adjusting thealignment of the member 12,14 with the centrally connected cross memberassembly 20 by manipulating the respective first ball joint member 34within the first ball joint receptacle 55 and the second ball jointmember 36 with the second ball joint receptacle 56 and selecting theappropriate length of the cross member (see FIG. 5A). When all membersof the device 10 are positioned in a desired orientation, the user cantighten the provided locking screws 44, 46, 58, and lock the device intoa selected configuration relative to the two opposing bone anchors 1000.Adjustment or removal of the device can be easily achieved by looseningthe locking screws 44, 46, 58.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, another embodiment 200 provides a two-partcapture mechanism including a mobile portion 210 and a stationaryportion 212 for retaining bone anchor 1000. The first portion capturesone-half of bone anchor 1000 while the second half overlaps it tocapture the remaining portion. FIG. 6B displays the open configurationof the transverse rod connector, whereby the lateral portion of theconnection member slides laterally to allow for ease of attachment ontoa bone anchor. The retaining feature of the stationary portion 212 andthe retaining feature of the mobile portion 210 capture the bone anchor1000. The stationary and mobile portions 210, 212 along with the boneanchor 1000 are retained by coupling of a bone anchor locking screw 220.This closed configuration is depicted in FIG. 6A.

With reference now to FIGS. 7-16, yet another embodiment of a transverserod connector in accordance with the present disclosure, is illustrated.In the interest of brevity, the present embodiment will focus on thedifferences between the previously described transverse rod connectors10, 200 and connector 300. Connector 300 includes a cross memberassembly 320 and first and second connection members 312, 314. Eachconnection member 312, 314 is configured to be selectively andreleasably secured to bone anchor 1000 which is secured to a subject'svertebra or other bone structure. Notably, connection member 312 definesan internal opening 348 therethrough and connection member 314 definesan internal opening 350 therethrough. Internal openings 348 and 350 maybe threaded to facilitate engagement with a screw.

As best shown in FIGS. 8, 10 and 12, cross member assembly 320 includesan elongate member 301 with first and second ends 316, 318. First andsecond ends 316, 318 include ball joint members 334, 336, respectively.In addition, elongate member 301 may include a first portion 301 a and asecond portion 301 b. First and second portions 301 a, 301 b may beslidably coupled to enable reciprocating translation with respect toeach other. (FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an extended position in whichfirst and second portions 301 a, 301 b are at least partiallyoverlapped). At least one of first and second portions 301 a, 301 b maydefine a threaded bore 303 to enable screw 58 to securely fix therelative position of first and second portions 301 a, 301 b, in order tomeet the needs of a particular procedure being performed. As shown inFIGS. 8-12, second portion 301 b defines such threaded bore 303 at anend portion thereof which remains at least partially overlapped withfirst portion 301 a to fix the relative position with respect to eachother.

With reference now to FIGS. 14-16, connection members 312, 314 eachinclude a base portion 312 a, 314 a and a closing portion 312 b, 314 b.Each connection member 312, 314 defines a connection passage 322, 324dimensioned to receive bone anchor 1000. Respective closing portions 312b, 314 b may be hingedly connected to base members 312 a, 314 a. Incontrast to the previously described embodiments, each connection member312, 314 includes a socket 380, 382 for receiving therein respectiveball joint members 334, 336, as best illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. Inparticular, sockets 380, 382 each define respective openings 381, 383,through which ball joint members 334, 336 of elongate member 301 arereceived to form ball joints. Sockets 380, 382 may include internalthreads for receiving screws 370. Screws 370 may be provided to securelyfix ball joint members 334, 336 in sockets 380, 382. As such, therelative position/orientation of elongate member 301 and connectionmembers 312, 314 may be adjusted to meet the needs of the particularprocedure being performed. Operation of transverse rod connector 300 issubstantially similar to connector systems 10, 200 describedhereinabove, and will be omitted in the interest of brevity.

With reference now to FIGS. 17-20, a connector system 400 in accordancewith still another embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.In the interest of brevity, the present embodiment will focus on thedifferences between the previously described transverse rod connectors10, 200, 300 and connector system 400. Connector system 400 includes anelongate member 401 and first and second connection members 412, 414.Each of connection members 412, 414 may be selectively and releasablysecured to bone anchor 1000 which is secured to a subject's vertebra orother bone structure.

Elongate member 401 includes a body portion 402 which may be arched asshown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 20 and receiving end portions 416, 418.Receiving end portions 416, 418 each define an opening 416 a, 418 adimensioned to receive a screw 470. Openings 416 a, 418 a may also bedimensioned to enable adjustment of the distance between connectionmembers 412, 414, as will be described below.

Connection members 412, 414 each include a stationary portion 412 a, 414a and a sliding portion 412 b, 414 b, as best seen in FIG. 18. Eachstationary portion 412 a, 414 a includes at least one lateral pin 413,415 slidably received within respective longitudinal slots 418, 419defined in respective sliding portions 412 b, 414 b. Such configurationenables reciprocating movement of sliding portions 412 b, 414 b to andfrom stationary portions 412 a, 414 a, which in turn enables connectionpassages 422, 424 to be adjusted to facilitate attachment/coupling tobone anchor 1000. In addition, each sliding portion 412 b, 414 bincludes an internal opening 450, 452 for receiving screw 470. Internalopenings 450, 452 may be threaded to facilitate engagement with screw470.

In contrast to the above embodiments, screw 470 is utilized to couplethe respective bone anchors 1000 to first and second connection members412, 414 and to adjustably fix the distance between first and secondconnection members 412, 414. Under such configuration, connectionpassages 422, 424 are first adjustably enlarged by moving slidingportions 412 b, 414 b away from respective stationary portions 412 a,414 a, and bone anchors 1000 are placed in respective connectionpassages 422, 424. Upon placement of bone anchors 1000 in connectionpassages 422, 424, screws 470 may be attached to respective internalopenings 450, 452 and couple connection members 412, 414 onto boneanchors 1000. At this time, elongate member 401 is placed aboveconnection members 412, 414 and screws 470 extend out of respectiveopenings 416 a, 418 a. While connection members 412, 414 are coupledonto respective bone anchors 1000, the distance between connectionmembers 412, 414 may still be adjusted. Upon determining the desireddistance, caps 472 may be utilized to securely fix the distance betweenconnection members 412, 414 by fastening caps 472 against elongatemember 401, as best shown in FIG. 17.

The devices 10, 200, 300, 400 can be manufactured as components bymethods known in the art, to include, for example, molding, casting,forming or extruding, and machining processes. The components can bemanufactured using materials having sufficient strength, resiliency andbiocompatibility as is well known in the art for such devices. By way ofexample only, suitable materials can include implant grade metallicmaterials, such as titanium, cobalt chromium alloys, stainless steel, orother suitable materials for this purpose. It is also conceivable thatsome components of the device can be made from plastics, compositematerials, and the like.

It is also within the concept of the inventors to provide a kit, whichincludes at least one of the transverse rod connectors. The kit can alsoinclude additional orthopedic devices and instruments; such as forexample, instruments for tightening or loosening the locking screws,spinal rods, hooks or links and any additional instruments or toolsassociated therewith. Such a kit can be provided with sterile packagingto facilitate opening and immediate use in an operating room.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments of the presently disclosed transverse rod connector.Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting,but merely as exemplifications of embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure.

1. (canceled)
 2. A transverse rod connector comprising: a cross memberdefining a pair of ball joint receptacles; and a pair of connectionmembers, each connection member of the pair of connection membersincluding a ball joint member that is received within one ball jointreceptacle of the pair of ball joint receptacles of the cross member tosecure one connection member of the pair of connection members to thecross member, each connection member of the pair of connection membersincluding a base portion and a closing portion, the base portion and theclosing portion defining a connection passage therebetween, the baseportion and the closing portion being hingedly connected such thatpivotal movement of the closing portion relative to the base portionenables selective and releasable receipt of a bone anchor within theconnection passage to secure the bone anchor therein.
 3. The transverserod connector of claim 2, wherein the cross member includes a firstsliding portion positioned to slide relative to a second slidingportion.
 4. The transverse rod connector of claim 3, wherein the firstsliding portion defines a locking screw receptacle adapted to receive alocking screw to lock the first and second sliding portions together infixed relation to each other.
 5. The transverse rod connector of claim3, wherein each sliding portion defines a locking screw receptacleadapted to receive a locking screw, the locking screw being engagablewith the ball joint member of a respective connection member to fix anorientation of the respective connection member relative to the crossmember.
 6. The transverse rod connector of claim 2, wherein theconnection passage is opened medial-laterally.
 7. The transverse rodconnector of claim 2, wherein a length of the cross member isselectively adjustable.
 8. The transverse rod connector of claim 2,wherein the pair of connection members is rotatable relative to thecross member while the ball joint members of the pair of connectionmembers are received within the pair of ball joint receptacles of thecross member.
 9. The transverse rod connector of claim 2, wherein thecross member extends between a pair of opposite ends, and wherein eachof the pair of ball joint receptacles opens in a respective one of thepair of opposite ends of the cross members such that the pair ofconnection members is side-loaded onto the cross member.
 10. Atransverse rod connector system comprising: a bone anchor; and atransverse rod connector including: a cross member defining a ball jointreceptacle; and a connection member including a ball joint member thatis received within the ball joint receptacle of the cross member tosecure the connection member to the cross member, the connection memberincluding a base portion and a closing portion, the base portion and theclosing portion defining a connection passage therebetween, the baseportion and the closing portion being hingedly connected such thatpivotal movement of the closing portion relative to the base portionenables selective and releasable receipt of the bone anchor within theconnection passage to secure the bone anchor therein.
 11. The transverserod connector system of claim 10, wherein the cross member includes afirst sliding portion positioned to slide relative to a second slidingportion.
 12. The transverse rod connector system of claim 11, whereinthe first sliding portion defines a locking screw receptacle adapted toreceive a locking screw to lock the first and second sliding portionstogether in fixed relation to each other.
 13. The transverse rodconnector system of claim 11, wherein each sliding portion defines alocking screw receptacle adapted to receive a locking screw, the lockingscrew being engagable with the ball joint member of a respectiveconnection member to fix an orientation of the respective connectionmember relative to the cross member.
 14. The transverse rod connectorsystem of claim 10, wherein the connection passage is openedmedial-laterally.
 15. The transverse rod connector system of claim 10,wherein a length of the cross member is selectively adjustable.
 16. Thetransverse rod connector system of claim 10, wherein the connectionmember is rotatable relative to the cross member while the ball jointmember is received within the of ball joint receptacle of the crossmember.
 17. The transverse rod connector system of claim 10, wherein thecross member extends between a pair of opposite ends, and wherein theball joint receptacle of the cross member opens in one end of the pairof opposite ends of the cross member such that the connection member isside-loaded onto the cross member.
 18. The transverse rod connectorsystem of claim 10, further including a spinal rod, wherein the boneanchor includes a threaded shank and a saddle coupled to the threadedshank, the threaded shank configured to be secured to bone, the saddleconfigured to receive the spinal rod.
 19. A transverse rod connectorcomprising: a cross member defining a ball joint receptacle; and aconnection member including a ball joint member that is received withinthe ball joint receptacle of the cross member to secure the connectionmember to the cross member, the connection member including a baseportion and a closing portion, the base portion and the closing portiondefining a connection passage therebetween, the base portion and theclosing portion being hingedly connected such that pivotal movement ofthe closing portion relative to the base portion enables selective andreleasable receipt of a bone anchor within the connection passage tosecure the bone anchor therein.
 20. The transverse rod connector ofclaim 19, further comprising a second connection member that couples tothe cross member and is configured to receive a second bone anchor.